Comments on: Introduction to Game Mastering, Part 3: More Things You Need to Get Started

By: Sewicked

Sewicked — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:31:27 +0000

The first time that I ever ran a game for strangers (at a con), I had a prop. I prepared, and distressed, a packet of letters that was the impetus for the adventures. I also included a typed copy of what the letters said, since they were so distressed as to border on illegible. Said players also went in a slightly unexpected direction, but their idea was so good that I gave them something to find. Which gave me the opportunity to introduce non-loot, non-XP rewards. And if you have a rules lawyer or more experienced GM at the table, use them! Not sure what the rule is or how to adjudicate something, ask. An experienced GM who's finally getting a chance to play will probably do almost anything to keep your GM'ing experience positive; so you'll do it again.

By: Rafe

Rafe — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 19:17:59 +0000

@Kurt "Telas" Schneider - Yes, yes you have, and it sounds like a great one!

By: Troy E. Taylor

Troy E. Taylor — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 00:14:21 +0000

Little touches can be things like using inexpensive candies -- such as candycorn -- for money at the low levels. This gets players used to the price of things when equipping low-level or beginning characters.

By: Kurt "Telas" Schneider

Kurt "Telas" Schneider — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 17:34:57 +0000

One of the big differences between a novice GM and an experience GM (aside from waistline) is an experienced GM knows that the players are not aware of how much of this he's making up on the fly. Novice GMs assume that the players can see the holes in his plots, the hesitation in his rule judgments, and the hasty improvisations. They're wrong, but they've got to learn to trust themselves. It's kinda like stage magic in that sense - the experienced magician knows that the audience doesn't see the card he just palmed, but the novice hopes they didn't see it. Geez, did I just sign myself up for another article?

By: Martin Ralya

Martin Ralya — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 04:26:53 +0000

@Noumenon - Those are excellent little touches as well, but not really what I had in mind -- I should have picked a less generic term. The reason I think physical objects work better in this context is because they demonstrate to your players that you've gone out of your way to run a bang-up first game. In-game stuff may not be as easy for a first-time GM to feel comfortable doing, and may be less obvious to your players. There's no downside to including these kinds of touches as well, but I think for the first time out you get more bang for your buck with props, maps, etc.

By: Noumenon

Noumenon — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 04:24:11 +0000

Little touches can be anything from creating props to match elements of your adventure, making handouts, or hand-drawing maps. I think that's too narrow a definition of little touches. They could include stuff like deciding to play the main villain in the style of Captain Jack Sparrow, adding a trench to an encounter to make it more fun to use Improved Bull Rush, or handpicking magic items.

By: John Arcadian

John Arcadian — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 20:35:18 +0000

This is some great advice Martin! Confidence is definitely key when GMing. My best sessions are when I've felt confident about where the session is going or how I'm doing.

By: Scott Martin

Scott Martin — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:38:20 +0000

Remembering that you don't have to absorb it all at once is key to not getting overwhelmed. If your game has "basic" and "advanced" rules, you can start with the basic rules. If it has long list of modifiers for tasks, jot down the big ones and assume the small ones cancel out. Don't worry about whether the built in adventure is strong or weak; it'll be enough structure to hang your game on. As everyone learns the system (in future sessions), you'll be able to bend it in the direction everyone enjoys. Come over to the GM side. Join us!